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Premier of Nevis, the Honourable Mark Brantley, Minister of Energy in the Nevis Island Administration (NIA), welcomed Mafalda Duarte, Executive Director of the Green Climate Fund (GCF), and a high-level delegation on Tuesday, March 18.
The visit highlighted Nevis’ commitment to geothermal energy development and the international support backing the island’s shift to renewable energy.
Premier Brantley expressed appreciation for Duarte’s visit, emphasising its significance.
“We have been on this journey for quite some time in terms of geothermal and renewable energy. It says a lot to the public when someone at your level has decided that this is an important enough initiative for you to come here in person, and I don’t think the significance of this should be understated. We are very grateful for that.”
Brantley further underscored the transformative potential of the geothermal project:
“I think that if we can succeed, and I believe that we can, on this journey that we have set our feet on, it will be transformative for our country.”
The delegation included the Honourable Konris Maynard, Minister of Energy in the Federal Government, along with representatives from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). Also in attendance were Permanent Secretary in the Premier’s Ministry, Wakely Daniel, and NEVLEC General Manager, Albert Gordon.
Duarte’s visit formed part of the Green Climate Fund Caribbean Regional Dialogue, hosted in St. Kitts and Nevis from March 17 to 20. She explained the significance of her presence, reaffirming GCF’s commitment to supporting small island developing states in their fight against climate change.
“It’s my pleasure and our pleasure to be here. It’s the first time that I’m in St. Kitts and Nevis, and there are very strong reasons to be here. One of the reasons for our visit is this project that is located in Nevis, which really has the potential to be truly transforming for St. Kitts and Nevis and for the region.
“It is extraordinary to know that the potential here is one gigawatt of geothermal power where the need stands at 30 to 50 megawatts. So there’s the potential for a country like St. Kitts and Nevis not only to service their own needs, which is expected to increase as you further develop, but to export to the region and potentially tap into these opportunities of green energy markets.”
Duarte assured that GCF and its partners were committed to ensuring the project’s success.
“We will do everything in our power to achieve the desired results as quickly as possible and eventually amplify them. This is not only about energy security but also the potential benefits of becoming an exporter, which could contribute to the development of the country, the region, and beyond.”
Minister Maynard echoed the importance of the initiative, reinforcing the Federal Government’s commitment.
“The Federal Government is focusing squarely on this development, because we see this as being of significant national importance. Your visit to Nevis, to St. Kitts, cannot be understated. We value it, we see it as an indication that our vision, our potential is being heard in the right places, and we hope that it will redound to significant benefit.”
Project Site Visit and Future Prospects
Following the meeting, the delegation visited Long Point Pier, where drilling equipment for the project will be offloaded, before proceeding to the Hamilton site, the location of Nevis’ groundbreaking geothermal initiative.
Several key NEVLEC officials also participated in the site visit, including Naftarie Errar, Project Coordinator for the Project Management Unit, and Ian Ward, Chief Engineer.
Studies confirm that Nevis possesses one of the most promising geothermal resources globally, with the capacity to generate at least one gigawatt of power—far exceeding the island’s domestic demand. This positions Nevis as a potential regional leader in renewable energy.
To date, Nevis has secured US$37 million in funding for the drilling phase from the Caribbean Development Bank and the Saudi Fund for Development. This marks a critical milestone in the island’s vision for energy security, sustainability, and economic growth.
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